THE ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER RETURNS WITH A DEEPLY PERSONAL PROJECT ROOTED IN GROWTH, RESILIENCE, AND SELF-DISCOVERY, FOLLOWING A UK #1 SINGLE AND OVER 31 MILLION STREAMS
South African singer-songwriter LLOYISO (born Loyiso Gijana, 8 March 1999) is proud to announce his debut album Never Thought I Could – Part 1, set for release on 6 March. A deeply considered body of work rooted in personal growth, reflection, gratitude, and self-discovery, it marks the most definitive statement yet from one of South Africa’s most compelling musical voices of this generation.
Lloyiso first caught national attention as a contestant on Idols SA Season 11 in 2015. Since then, he has been quietly building: early releases with Ambitiouz Entertainment, signing with Universal Music Group South Africa and Republic Records in 2021, a debut EP that conquered the charts, and a string of global collaborations.
Never Thought I Could – Part 1 carries a simple, profound narrative: the story of a young man from the Eastern Cape confronting fears, unlearning harmful patterns, letting go, and choosing himself. Through his signature emotive vocals and introspective songwriting, Lloyiso reflects on milestones he once believed were out of reach. The project explores the quiet, internal battles and turns them into something transcendent.
The album arrives on the back of an extraordinary international run: In 2025, Lloyiso’s collaboration with Clean Bandit on ‘Believe’ topped the Official UK Singles Chart. His team-up with Martin Garrix on ‘Real Love’ reached #1 on international dance radio charts. His 2023 debut EP, Seasons, produced entirely by Earwulf, Mr Hudson, and Stargate, has amassed over 31 million streams globally, earned Multi-Platinum certification from RiSA, and won Best Pop Album at the South African Music Awards, the same awards that also nominated him for Best Male Artist and Best Newcomer. Last year also saw him perform at his sold-out ‘Elephant in the Room’ shows in Durban and London.
Never Thought I Could – Part 1 is available across streaming platforms from 6 March, here.
MORE ABOUT LLOYISO
Lloyiso is one of South Africa’s most promising musical exports. His musical journey began at the age of 12, and by 2015, he was performing on a national stage as a contestant on Idols SA Season 11. In the years that followed, he signed with Ambitiouz Entertainment, releasing ‘Nontsikelelo’ and ‘Intliziyo’ featuring Langa Mavuso, before a major creative step-change saw him join Universal Music Group South Africa and Republic Records in 2021. Currently, he is an independent artist with a distribution deal under EMPIRE.
His 2023 EP Seasons, a project that won over streaming audiences and awards panels alike, established him as a generational talent. Since then, he has built an international profile through headline touring and landmark collaborations with some of the world’s biggest electronic and pop acts. Emotive, technically assured vocals, contemporary pop sensibility, and soul-driven storytelling have become hallmarks of his artistry. Now, with Never Thought I Could – Part 1, Lloyiso steps into the album era, and into his most fully realised creative self.
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